The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved five bills modernising the legal framework for persons with disabilities, introducing a unified system of benefits and independent living services.
The legislation seeks to remove income-based criteria from disability benefits, expand the pool of eligible recipients and bring existing allowances under a single, unified system.
An amendment by Greens MP Charalambos Theopemptou was also passed, introducing parliamentary oversight of the law’s implementation.
New independent living services introduced
The first bill establishes independent living services, introducing new roles such as early family support advisers, trainers, workplace personal assistants and psychologists. Existing services, including social support workers and Cypriot sign language interpreters, are also strengthened.
The law sets out licensing requirements for providers, procedures for assessing applications and the right to appeal at every stage.
Key changes to benefits system
Amendments to the final text remove age limits for the Severe Mobility Disability Allowance and clarify that benefits will be granted from the date of application, regardless of when assessments are completed.
People who previously lost benefits due to income criteria will be able to reapply under certain conditions, while those over 65 will continue receiving their current support.
The remaining four bills abolish older mobility allowances, grants for the blind and parking permit regulations, integrating them into the new system. Special provisions for individuals over 65 are also maintained to ensure existing rights are not affected.
Increased funding to enable gradual implementation
The budget of the Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities will rise by €106 million over the period 2026-2028, aimed at supporting the phased inclusion of new beneficiaries.
The Council of Ministers will have the authority to adjust benefit levels and determine how the new framework is rolled out in stages. The legislation also allows for the employment of personal assistants or carers without restrictions on nationality.
Implementation will depend on available resources and the readiness of service providers, while training programmes are also planned to ensure carers are properly qualified.
Broad support with reservations from MPs
House President Annita Demetriou described the vote as a particularly important milestone, underlining the need for the new framework to be properly applied in practice.
AKEL MP Andreas Kafkalias said the legislation reflects a long-standing effort to modernise social policy and strengthen independent living, though he expressed concerns over spending caps and gaps in addressing key demands raised by disability organisations.
Independent MP Alexandra Attalides questioned whether the state treats persons with disabilities as recipients of benefits or as citizens entitled to live independently, describing the reform as a meaningful shift towards inclusion.
Charalambos Theopemptou pointed to the importance of parliamentary oversight, noting that his amendment requires annual reporting to the House on the law’s implementation.
DIKO-aligned MP Giorgos Papanastasiou said the reform aims to eliminate discrimination and improve access to services, adding that around 10,000 additional beneficiaries are expected to be included by 2028, including approximately 5,000 new recipients.
EDEK MP Ilias Myrianthous welcomed improvements made during consultations but noted that further work is needed, while ELAM MP Sotiris Ioannou described the legislation as correcting long-standing injustices and making thousands of previously excluded individuals “visible” to the state.
AKEL MP Christos Christofias characterised the vote as a historic moment, second only to Cyprus ratifying the UN Convention in 2011, but warned that without sufficient funding the reform risks falling short in practice.
Other MPs stressed that while the legislation marks significant progress, its success will ultimately depend on effective implementation and continued parliamentary oversight.
Source: CNA